Frictionless mechanical motion devices

ABSTRACT

A FRICTIONLESS MECHANICAL MOTION DEVICE COMPRISING AT LEAST TWO GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL ROLLERS HAVING THEIR CYLINDRICAL AXES PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER AND AT LEAST TWO FLEXIBLE BANDS UNDER TENSION AND ENGAGING PORTIONS OF THE PERIPHERAL SURFACES OF BOTH OF THE ROLLERS AND TRAINED THEREABOUT IN NON-IDENTICAL PATHS TO CONFINE THE ROLLERS FOR CONJOINT RELATIVELY FRICTIONLESS MOVEMENT.

Sept. 21, 1971 5 5 3,606,795

FRICTIONLESS MECHANICAL MOTION DEVICES Filed Sept. 29, 1969 Patented Sept. 21, 1971 3,606,795 FRICTIO'NLESS MECHANICAL MOTION DEVICES Leonard B. Simons, 516 S. Austin Blvd., Oak Park, Ill. 60304 Filed Sept. 29, 1969, Ser. No. 861,692 Int. Cl. F1611 21/16; F16c 17/06 US. Cl. 74-25 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There has been recently developed what has been heralded as the eight basic mechanism. In its simplest form, the same consists of a pair of cylindrical rollers about which a metal band is trained. The rollers and the band are mounted between a pair of parallel spaced guide surfaces with the distance between the surfaces being less than the sum of the diameters of the two rollers. Suggested functions for the mechanism include a lining, braking, clutching, detenting, metering, pressure-actuating, pressure-sensing, electrical contacting, force amplifying, speed changing, relaying, thermostatic action and torque transmitting.

While the basic mechanism and the variations thereof are useful for the intended purpose, to some extent their application is limited due to requirement of the presence of rigid guide surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved frictionless mechanical motion device.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a frictionless mechanical motion device which totally avoids the requirement of the presence of rigid guide surfaces. The exemplary embodiment of the invention contemplates the use of two or more cylindrical rollers which are held in a desired configuration by two or more flexible bands under tension and arranged to hold the rollers in a predetermined configuration. According to one embodiment of the invention, the bands are in the form of strips secured at their ends to any suitable means with one of the bands passing about the two rollers in a generally S-shaped configuration with the other band passing about the rollers in a reverse S- shaped configuration. In another embodiment of the invention, three, generally in-line, rollers are utilized with one of the bands passing about one end roller in a counterclockwise direction, around the center roller in a clockwise direction, and around the other end roller in a counterclockwise direction back to the first-mentioned end roller. The second band traces the opposite path about the three rollers.

According to still another embodiment of the invention, four rollers in a generally quadrilateral configuration are utilized. One of the bands is trained about the first and third rollers in the configuration and is in contact with the second and fourth rollers while the other band is trained about the second and fourth rollers and is in contact with the first and third rollers. In still another embodiment of the invention, four rollers are utilized with two of the rollers being significantly smaller than the other two rollers and having a first band trained therea-bout and in contact with the two larger rollers. A second band is entrained about the two large rollers in such a way that the two small rollers and the first band are wholly contained Within the second hand.

Depending upon the specific embodiment, one or more additional bands may be provided to balance the overall assemblage. In such cases, the centralmost band traces one path about the rollers while two outermost bands trace a different but identical path about the rollers.

Each of the embodiments relies on the tensioning of the bands as the sole means to hold the rollers in the particular configuration desired and does not rely on the presence of guide surfaces. The absence of guide surfaces permits the use of several of the embodiments in rotary movements so that they may find use in transmission, speed changers or the like, as well as those uses to which the prior art device has been heretofore applied.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention employing two rollers and strip-like bands having their ends secured;

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the invention employing three rollers and closed loop band;

FIG. 3 illustrates still another embodiment of the invention employing four rollers and closed loop bands; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a variation of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the frictionless mechanical motion device made according to the invention for use in mechanical movement utilizing linear motion, is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is seen to comprise a pair of generally cylindrical rollers 10 and 12 located in generally side-by-side relationship and having their cylindrical axes parallel.

Rollers 10 and 12 may be formed of any suitable material as for example, a suitable metal or other relatively hard material. A first flexible band, generally designated 14, in the form of a strip having ends 16 and 18 is passed about the rollers 10 and 12 in such a way as to define a generally S-shaped configuration. The band 14 may be formed of any suitable material as for example, a spring metal. However, any flexible material that will not stretch under tension may be utilized.

The end 16 of the band 14 is seured to the top side of an abutment 20 after it has come off the roller 10 while the end 18 is secured to a horizontally spaced abutment 22 near the bottom thereof after it has come off of the roller 12.

A pair of spaced flexible bands, generally designated 24, flank the band 14 and are trained about the rollers 10 and 12 in a generally reverse S-shaped configuration. Ends 26 of the bands 24 are secured to the upper side of the abutment 22 while ends 28 of the bands 24 are secured to the lower edge of the abutment 20.

By suitable means (not shown) the abutments 20 and 22 are maintained in the spaced relationship illustrated in FIG. 1 in such a Way that the bands 14 and 24 are under substantial tension.

As a result of the foregoing construction, rotation of one of the rollers 10 or 12 in one direction will cause opposite rotation of the other roller as well as linear, sideto-side movement of abutments 20 and 22 or movement of the rollers between the abutments. By the same token, movement of the abutments 20 or 22 in a linear path will cause opposite rotation of the rollers and 12 assuming that the axis of one of the same is fixed. Because all movement is rolling as opposed to sliding, substantially no friction exists. As is well known in the art, such movement can be used for switch-closing purposes as well as a variety of other uses mentioned previously.

Another embodiment of the frictionless mechanical motion device as illustrated in FIG. 2 is seen to comprise three generally cylindrical rollers 30, 32 and 34 arranged in a generally side-by-side relationship with their cylindrical axes generally parallel. A closed loop band 36 is trained about midpoints of the rollers 32 and 34 in the following manner. The band 36 passes in a counterclockwise direction about the roller 34; in a clockwise direction about the roller 32; and in a counterclockwise direction about the roller 30 and back to the roller 34.

The closed loop band 36 is flanked by a pair of identical closed loop bands 38 near the ends of the rollers 30, 32 and 34. The bands 38 pass about the roller 34 in a clockwise direction; about the roller 32 in a counterclockwise direction; and about the roller 30 in a clockwise direction and back to the roller 34.

In order to preclude frictional engagement between that portion of each of the bands 36 and 38 extending from one end of the roller 30 to the other end of roller 34 with that portion trained about the roller 32, one of the end rollers, as for example, the roller 30, is made with a larger diameter than the roller 32 so that a spacing exists between the aforementioned portions.

Bands 36 and 38 may be made of the same material as the bands 14 and 24 and are under tension when engaged with the rollers 30, 32 and 34. To assemble the construction illustrated in FIG. 2, either the rollers 30, 32 and 34 may be contracted as by cooling or the bands 36 and 38 expanded as by heat, or both. The bands may then be trained about the rollers in the above described fashion. Temperature equalization will result in the tensioning of the bands.

Alternatively, the structure may be assembled by forming one or more of the rollers 30, 32 or 34 in at least three sections each having a center opening, partially aligning the sections in the desired relation with the bands by any suitable means, and thereafter driving a pin 39 through the center openings to provide final alignment and tensioning.

The purpose of providing a pair of bands 38 flanking the central band 36 is to offset any tendency of the tension forces within the band from skewing the rollers 30, 32 and 34. That is, by providing two outside bands 38, the cylindrical axes of the rollers 30, 32 and 34 are maintained parallel. Further, if the rollers are not to be maintained in the illustrated configuration as by associated shafts, the additional outer band further serves to prevent the rollers from falling out of the bands.

The construction illustrated in FIG. 2 is susceptible to any of the uses mentioned previously. It is particularly well-suited for speed changing applications wherein input and output shafts may be associated With two or more of the rollers 30, 32 and 34.

Still another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 and is seen to comprise four rollers 40, 42, 44 and 46 arranged in a generally quadrilateral configuration. A pair of closed loop bands '48 are trained about the midpoints of the first and third rollers 40 and 44 of the configuration and engage portions of the peripheral surfaces of the second and fourth rollers 42 and 46. The bands 48 are flanged by outside bands 50 which are of the closed loop variety and are trained about the second and fourth rollers 42 and 46 while engaging the first and third rollers 40 and 44.

Just as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the bands 48 and 50 are under tension and may be applied to the configuration in the same manner.

While the roller 46 is shown to be of a greater diameter than rollers 40, 42 and 44, such a configuration is not material to the invention but as shown in FIG. 3, merely for purposes of illustration. The four roller arrangement is also susceptible to the uses mentioned previously. Furthermore, the same is subject to modification to provide an extended, flexible drive train arrangement. For example, additional rollers could extend in the same general direction defined by the plane encompassing the cylindrical axes of the rollers 42 and 46 with the bands being extended to be trained about the endmost roller in the string and to be in contact with the intermediate rollers. Additional sets of the rollers 40 and 44 and bands 48 may then be provided and located between each additional roller added to the string. As a result of the tensioning, the rollers 40 and 44 would then hold the bands 50 in tight engagement with the peripheral surfaces of the intermediate rollers. With such an arrangement, rotation of, say, the roller 42, could be transmitted in either direction, through the bands 50 and intermediate rollers to an endmost roller. The sizes of the intermediate rollers can be varied significantly and provide multiple speed changing effects. Alternatively, the same can provide a drive train between parallel shafts.

A variation of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 4 and is seen to comprise a pair of relatively large diameter rollers 52 and 54 which have their cylindrical axes parallel. Interposed between the rollers 52 and 54 are a pair of small diameter rollers 56 and 58 which have their cylindrical axes parallel to each other and to the cylindrical axes of the rollers 52 and 54. The rollers 56 and 58 have the sum of their diameters less than the diameter of one of the rollers 52 and 54 and have a closed loop band 60 trained thereabout. The band 6% is also in engagement with the peripheral surfaces of the rollers 50 and 54. A second closed loop band 62 is trained about the rollers 52 and 54 and totally encompasses the arrangement of rollers 56 and 58 and the band 60. The purpose of the aforementioned relationship of the diameters of the rollers 56 and 58 to one of the rollers 52 and 54 is to insure that there will be no frictional interference between the band 60 and the band 62.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 may be utilized for the purposes mentioned previously.

While not shown herein, if desired, shallow, band receiving grooves separated by lands may be formed in the peripheral surfaces of the rollers to insure that the bands track properly on the rollers and to space adjacent bands to prevent frictional contact therebetween.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the invention provides new and improved frictional and mechanical motion devices which are susceptible to a variety of uses and, through the use of plural bands, avoids the need for rigid guide surfaces and thereby enhances the susceptibility of devices made according to the invention for use in a variety of mehanical movements in apparatus.

I claim:

1. In a frictionless mechanical motion device, the combination comprising:

at least three generally cylindrical rollers having peripheral surfaces and having their cylindrical axes parallel to each other; and

at least two endless flexible bands under tension and engaging different portions of the peripheral surfaces of both of said rollers to maintain the rollers and bands as an integral self-sustaining package.

2. A frictionless mechanical motion device according to claim 1 wherein there are three said rollers arranged in a generally in-line configuration with at least one of the end rollers having a larger diameter than the central roller; and said bands comprise closed loops with one of said bands extending about one of the end rollers in a counterclockwise direction, about the central roller in a clockwise direction and about the other end roller in a counterclockwise direction to the first named end roller;

and said other band being trained about the rollers in a References Cited dlrectlon 9 P of Sand 01.16 Wilkes, D. F.: Rolarnite: A New Mechanical Design 3. A frictionless mechanical motion device accordlng to Concept October 1967 pp 12743 4 claim 1 wherein there are four said rollers with at least two of the rollers having a significantly smaller diameter 5 WILLIAM ODEA Primary Examiner than at least one of the other rollers; and one of said 1 bands is trained about said other rollers and the other of RATLIFF Asslstant Exammer said bands is trained about said two rollers and located U S C1 XR inwardly of the loop defined by said first band and said 308 160 other band further engaging both of said other rollers. 10 

